Raleigh Charter H.S. Officials Asked To Explain Enrollment Policy

Angela Blalock watched over a meeting Wednesday to discuss the policies the school used to leave her son, Joseph, out of the charter's admission lottery. Raleigh Charter officials say they requires a student be ready for Algebra I. They use Algebra I recommendations as a gateway.

"Algebra I tends to be an excellent indicator of success in this type of curriculum," says Donna Rascoe, attorney for the charter school.

The problem is their charter does not explicitly say that. Blalock teared up as the charter advisory's subcommitee questioned the school's lottery process behind closed doors, its recruiting efforts and how it expels poor performing students.

"There is no intent to do anything improper, and they're fully prepared to make some changes," Rascoe says.

"They have the option of either going back and adhering to that [change], or they have the option of the board going back and making some amendments to their charter," says Sandy Carmany, subcommittee chairman.

The school says it offered the Blalocks a waiver and agreed to let him in an issue that remains in dispute.

"The word waiver was never mentioned," Blalock says.

Blalock says her son will probably attend Broughton in the fall. The charter advisory committee cannot make the school admit any student.

Rascoe says the school will probably seek approval to make the math requirement a written part of their charter. The state school board has to approve that.